TONIGHT is the long awaited opening night for the Swan Hill Theatre Group’s latest production, the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the Memorial Hall in McCrae Street.
The first of six performances begins at 7:30pm.
Preparations for the show began in December with the call going out for those interested in participating, and auditions held in the early part of the month.
With the cast and crew in place, work started at the end of January.
Co-director Kellie Knight said the play had always been a bit of a passion for her.
“It’s a comedy which is always just grand,” Ms Knight said.
“Shakespeare is also a personal favourite simply because it is really misunderstood, it is always thought to be all these lofty ideals and the peak of literature and then you realise it is nothing more than butt jokes and sexual innuendos.
“It also gives you a connection to the 1600s.”
The play has been kept true to the source material with no real liberties taken with the production.
Sam Boys is the other director and also plays Nick Bottom, a self-assured weaver turned actor.
Mr Boys said the group tries to average two to three shows a year as well as a few other events for members and the community.
“Ticket sales are going well and it is always good that we get a big community turnout for the theatre,” Mr Boys said. “We always get a good response and always enjoy the support we get.”
“We are one of the only theatre communities or live arts communities in town.
“We are very lucky to have this space (Memorial Hall), most amateur theatre companies don’t have their own space, so we feel really blessed to have it.”
Memorial Hall is more than 100 years old, but the theatre group is working hard to make sure it is not only well maintained but to update the facility so that they can put on more shows.
The crew complement of the production is more than 30 including the 19 cast members and a local artist who has come in and painted the sets.
The active theatre group is not letting the dust settle with plans for their next production already underway.
On Thursday, April 24 at 7pm, there will be an information session for the next show, Annie, at the Memorial Hall.
